Scanning method and scanning system free of identifying original&#39;s attribute

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention, an operating procedure of a scanning system free of identifying original&#39;s attribute comprises steps of scanning at least one original free of identifying original&#39;s attribute to generate at least one image, wherein the images present all contents of the originals, displaying the images on a preview window, receiving a portion of the preview window selected by a user, and scanning a portion of the originals corresponding to the portion of the preview window. The present invention further extends to a scanning system free of identifying original&#39;s attribute and a scanning method without identifying an original&#39;s attribute by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a method for scanningan original without identifying the original's attribute and also asystem for scanning an original free of identifying the original'sattribute.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] For a scanning system, an item to be scanned is usuallyclassified as transparent original or reflective original, according towhether the light can transmit through the item or not. Due to thedifference in nature between a reflective original and a transparentoriginal, a reflective original mode is used for scanning a reflectiveoriginal, and a transparent original has to be scanned by use of atransparent original mode, respectively. In other words, a reflectiveoriginal can not be identified by use of a transparent original mode, inthe mean time a transparent original mode can not recognize a reflectiveoriginal.

[0005] A conventional scanning system has difficulties in identifyingreflective and transparent originals simultaneously. Therefore, in orderto generate an accurate scanning image, a user himself has to identifythe attribute of an original in advance to manually set the properscanning mode of the scanning system. If the scanning mode of a scanningsystem (such as scanner) doesn't match with the original, for example, areflective original is scanned by use of a transparent original mode,the scanning image is incapable of presenting the content of theoriginal.

[0006] Apparently, the step of setting the scanning mode complicates thescanning procedure and causes great inconvenience of operating thescanning system leading to the increase in the possibility of generatingan improper scanning image due to the wrong scanning mode setting. Thus,it is imperative to develop a method and a system for scanning anoriginal eliminating the step of manually setting the scanning mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a method and a systemfor scanning an original to generate a perfect scanning imageeliminating the steps of manually identifying the original and settingthe scanning mode are provided.

[0008] It is another object of this invention that a method and a systemfor scanning an original to generate a scanning image of a reflective ortransparent original without changing the hardware of a reflective ortransparent scanning system are provided.

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, in one embodiment, anoperating procedure of a scanning system, which scans an original freeof identifying the original's attribute is disclosed. The operatingprocedure comprises the step of scanning at least one original togenerate at least one image of the originals, wherein the images presentall contents of the originals. Then, the images are displayed in apreview window. A portion of the preview window including a portion ofthe images selected by user is received. Next, a portion of theoriginals corresponding to the portion of the images displayed in theselected preview window is scanned.

[0010] In another embodiment, a system for scanning originals withoutidentifying the attribute of originals is provided. The system comprisesa scanning module for scanning at least one original, a processingmodule for processing a plurality of images generated by the scanningmodule, a controlling module for controlling the scanning module and theprocessing module, a display module for displaying a preview windowresponsive to results of the processing module, a receiving module forreceiving a portion of the preview window selected by user, and anoutput module for outputting the portion of images displayed in theselected preview window.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, in a furtherembodiment, a scanning method free of identifying original's attributeby a user is provided. The method comprises a step of arranging at leastone original on a scanner. The originals are scanned to generate atleast one image corresponding to the originals, wherein the imagespresent all contents of the originals and are automatically obtained bythe scanner without manually setting any scan mode by the user. Then, apreview window with the images including reflective original images andtransparent original images displayed is received. A portion of thepreview window including a portion of the images is selected. Then, aportion of the originals corresponding to the portion of the images onthe portion of the preview window is scanned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages ofthis invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1A to 1C illustrates images of different original's attributedisplayed in the preview window varied with the scanning mode;

[0014]FIG. 2A and 2B are an operating procedure of the present inventionand designs around the present invention, in one embodiment;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a structure in another embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention; and

[0016]FIG. 4 is an operating procedure in a further embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Some sample embodiments of the invention will now be described ingreater detail. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the presentinvention can be practiced in a wide range of other embodiments besidesthose explicitly described, and the scope of the present invention isexpressly not limited except as specified in the accompanying claims.

[0018] According to a careful analysis of the scanning system and thescanning method in the prior art, the drawback occurs by using only onescanning mode in one scanning procedure. Users must correctly set thescanning mode in view of an original, or a scanner has to identify theoriginal as a reflective original or a transparent original prior toscanning the original as a result of using only one scanning mode.

[0019] In other words, as shown in FIG. 1A, when there is a reflectiveoriginal 11 and a transparent original 12 to be simultaneously scanned,due to the use of only one scanning mode in the prior art, such as byuse of a reflective original mode, a reflective original image 14 isclearly displayed in a preview window 13 and an ineffective image 14corresponding to the transparent original 12 also displayed in thepreview window 13 is pitch-dark and unrecognizable, as illustrated inFIG. 1B. A further step of setting the scanning mode, such astransparent original mode, is compulsory for identifying the transparentoriginal 12, such that both the reflective original image 14 and thetransparent original image 16 are clearly displayed in the previewwindow 13, as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0020] However, due to the continuous advancement of technology, thescanner in the present day has faster scanning speed than the scanner inthe old days, and the storage media nowadays also has larger storagecapacity and faster accessing rate than before. Thus, one key aspect ofthe present invention for solving the drawback occurred in the prior artis the use of two scanning modes to scan originals, then by theintegration of obtained reflective original images and transparentoriginal images, a completed preview window is secured. Due to theutilization of two scanning modes to scan originals prior to displayinga preview window, the preview window shown in FIG. 1B is eliminated. Thepreview window illustrated in FIG. 1C is directly obtained in the scanof originals shown in FIG. 1A. In other words, there is no need forusers to set the scanning mode prior to starting the scan to acquire apreview window with clear images of both originals, thus the drawbackdescribed above is diminished.

[0021] Additionally, the original (or originals, or an item is anintegration of reflective and transparent originals) to be scanned isnot always a combination of reflective and transparent originals, thatis, it is not necessary to use both scanning modes (reflective originalmode and transparent original mode) in every scan. Thus, another keyaspect of the present invention is to scan at least one original by useof one scanning mode, then to analyze whether the information obtainedin the scan presents all contents of the original to determine ifanother scanning mode is to be performed. If the information does notclearly present all contents of the original, another scanning mode isutilized for scanning the original. On the contrary, a preview window iscreated responsive to the information without scanning the original byanother scanning mode if the information clearly presents all contentsof the original.

[0022] In order to specifically interpret the present invention, in oneembodiment, an operating procedure of a scanning system free ofidentifying original's attribute is provided. As Illustrate in FIG. 2A,the operating procedure comprises steps 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0023] As shown in first scanning block 21, at least one original isscanned to generate at least one image, wherein the images present allcontents of the originals. It is noted that only the command of startingthe scan executed by user is received, that is the command of setting ascanning mode is eliminated. Thus, the received command is irrelevant tothe original's attribute.

[0024] In general, the originals are scanned by use of a transparentoriginal mode and a reflective original mode. It is noted that thesequence of employing what mode, the reflective original mode or thetransparent original mode, is arbitrary and not critical in accordancewith the present invention.

[0025] Yet, though the key aspect of the present invention is to obtainreflective original images and transparent original images before apreview window is displayed, the reflective original images are not inwant of acquisition when the originals are all transparent originals, orwhen the originals are all reflective originals, the transparentoriginal images are not in want of acquisition. Therefore, the presentinvention further comprises variations depicted in modified steps 25,26, 27, and 28 of FIG. 2B. The modified steps 25, 26, 27, and 28 are notall performed only if the preview window shows completed imagescorresponding to the originals. The present invention is not limited tothe sequence of starting what step first, that is the order ofperforming steps 25, 26, 27, and 28 is reversible.

[0026] As illustrated in first modified step 25, the originals are firstscanned by use of a reflective original mode to generate reflectiveoriginal images. Then, the reflective original images are analyzed todetermine if all contents of the originals are presented. The originalsare scanned by use of a transparent original mode if the reflectiveoriginal images don't present all contents of the originals.

[0027] As illustrated in second modified step 26, the originals arefirst scanned by use of a reflective original mode to generatereflective original images. Then, the reflective original images areanalyzed to determine if all contents of the originals are presented.The originals are not scanned by use of a transparent original mode ifthe reflective original images present all contents of the originals.Thus, only the reflective original images are displayed in the previewwindow.

[0028] As illustrated in third modified step 27, the originals are firstscanned by use of a transparent original mode to generate transparentoriginal images. Then, the transparent original images are analyzed todetermine if all contents of the originals are presented. The originalsare scanned by use of a reflective original mode if the transparentoriginal images don't present all contents of the originals.

[0029] As illustrated in fourth modified step 28, the originals arefirst scanned by use of a transparent original mode to generatetransparent original images. Then, the transparent original images areanalyzed to determine if all contents of the originals are presented.The originals are not scanned by use of a reflective original mode ifthe transparent original images present all contents of the originals.Thus, only the transparent original images are displayed in the previewwindow.

[0030] As shown in preview block 22, reflective original images andtransparent original images are displayed in a preview window.

[0031] It is noted that there is no specific rule of displaying imageson the preview window. The reflective original images and thetransparent original images can be separately displayed in the previewwindow. However, the reflective original images and the transparentoriginal images can also be combined to display on the preview window,wherein a portion of the originals not presented by the transparentoriginal images is substituted by the reflective original images. In themean time, a portion of the originals not presented by the reflectiveoriginal images is substituted by the transparent original images.

[0032] As shown in receiving block 23, a portion of the preview windowwith a portion of the images is selected by a user. It is clear that theuser can further taking steps of performing an image process.

[0033] As shown in second scanning block 24, a portion of the originalscorresponding to the portion of the images displayed in the portion ofthe preview window is scanned.

[0034] In the second scan of the portion of the originals, if theselected images displayed in the selected preview window is part of thereflective original images, only a reflective original mode is used. Ifthe selected images displayed in the selected preview window is part ofthe transparent original images, only a transparent original mode isused. If the selected images displayed in the selected preview window ispart of the transparent original images and the reflective originalimages, a transparent original mode is used to scan the portion oforiginals corresponding to the selected transparent original images, anda reflective original mode is used to scan the portion of originalscorresponding to the selected reflective original images.

[0035] In another embodiment, a scanning system free of identifyingoriginal's attribute is provided. Referring to FIG. 3, the scanningsystem comprises a scanning module 31, a processing module 32, acontrolling module 33, a display module 34, a receiving module 35, andan output module 36.

[0036] The scanning module 31 including units, such as a light source, alens, and a light detector, is for scanning at least one original.

[0037] The processing module 32, such as microprocessor or applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), is for processing a plurality ofimages generated by the scanning module 31.

[0038] The controlling module 33, such as microprocessor or applicationspecific integrated circuit, is for controlling the scanning module 31and the processing module 32.

[0039] The controlling module 33 controls the scanning module 31 to scanthe originals by use of a transparent original mode or a reflectiveoriginal mode to obtain transparent original images or reflectiveoriginal images, respectively. But as described above, the controllingmodule 33 can control the scanning module 31 to scan the originals byuse of a transparent original mode first, wherein transparent originalimages are displayed by the display module 34 if the processing moduleshows the transparent original images present all contents of theoriginals. If the processing module 32 shows the transparent originalimages don't present all contents of the originals, the originals arescanned by use of a reflective original mode, then the transparentoriginal images and the reflective original images are displayed by thedisplay module 34. Alternatively, the controlling module 33 can controlthe scanning module 31 to scan the originals by use of a reflectiveoriginal mode first, wherein reflective original images are displayed bythe display module 34 if the processing module shows the reflectiveoriginal images present all contents of the originals. If the processingmodule 32 shows the reflective original images don't present allcontents of the originals, the originals are scanned by use of atransparent original mode, then the reflective original images and thetransparent original images are displayed by the display module 34.

[0040] The display module 34, such as screen, is for displaying apreview window responsive to a result of the processing module. When thereflective original images can represent all contents of the originals,the display module 34 does not display any transparent original images.When the transparent original images can represent all contents of theoriginals, the display module 34 does not display any reflectiveoriginal images. Additionally, the display module 34 can separatelydisplay the reflective original images and the transparent originalimages. The reflective original images and the transparent originalimages can also be combined to display by the display module 34, whereina portion of the originals not presented by the transparent originalimages is substituted by the reflective original images. In the meantime, a portion of the originals not presented by the reflectiveoriginal images is substituted by the transparent original images.

[0041] The receiving module 35, such as mouse or keyboard, is forreceiving a portion of the preview window selected by user.

[0042] The output module 36, such as printer, hard disc, floppy disk, orany storage media of the computer, is for outputting a portion of imagesdisplayed in the selected portion of the preview window.

[0043] In accordance with the present invention, in a furtherembodiment, a method for scanning free of identifying original'sattribute by a user is provided. Referring to FIG. 4, the methodcomprises a step of arranging at least one original on a scanner shownin pre-scan block 41.

[0044] As depicted in first scanning block 42, the originals arescanned. The user does not manually set any scanning mode for any of theoriginals. The scanner automatically generates images presenting allcontents of the originals.

[0045] As shown in preview block 43, a preview window is received. Thepreview window displays reflective original images and transparentoriginal images generated by the scanner in the step of scanning theoriginals.

[0046] As shown in selection block 44, at least a portion of the previewwindow is selected.

[0047] Referring to scanning block 45, a portion of the originalcorresponding to the selected portion of the preview window is scanned.

[0048] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made without departing from what is intended to belimited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An operating procedure of a scanning system freeof identifying original's attribute, said operating procedurecomprising: scanning at least one original to generate at least oneimage, wherein said images present all contents of said originals;displaying said images on a preview window; receiving a portion of saidpreview window selected by a user; and scanning a portion of saidoriginals corresponding to said portion of said preview window.
 2. Theoperating procedure according to claim 1, wherein said originals aresequentially scanned by use of a reflective original mode and atransparent original mode.
 3. The operating procedure according to claim1, wherein said originals are sequentially scanned by use of atransparent original mode and a reflective original mode.
 4. Theoperating procedure according to claim 1, wherein said step of scanningsaid originals comprises: scanning said originals by use of a reflectiveoriginal mode to generate at least one reflective original image;judging whether said reflective original images present said contents ofsaid originals; and scanning said originals by use of a transparentoriginal mode if said reflective original images don't present saidcontents of said originals.
 5. The operating procedure according toclaim 1, wherein said steps of scanning said originals and displayingsaid images comprise: scanning said originals by use of a reflectiveoriginal mode to generate at least one reflective original image;judging whether said reflective original images present said contents ofsaid originals; and displaying said reflective original images on saidpreview window if said reflective original images present said contentsof said originals.
 6. The operating procedure according to claim 1,wherein said step of scanning originals comprises: scanning saidoriginals by use of a transparent original mode to generate at least onetransparent original images; judging whether said transparent originalimages present said contents of said originals; and scanning saidoriginals by use of a reflective original mode if said transparentoriginal images don't present said contents of said originals.
 7. Theoperating procedure according to claim 1, wherein said steps of scanningsaid originals and displaying said images comprise: scanning saidoriginals by use of a transparent original mode to generate at least onetransparent original images; judging whether said transparent originalimages present said contents of said originals; and displaying saidtransparent original images on said preview window if said transparentoriginal images present said contents of said originals.
 8. Theoperating procedure according to claim 1, wherein said images comprisesat least one reflective original image and at least one transparentoriginal image, wherein said reflective original images and saidtransparent original images are separately displayed in said previewwindow.
 9. The operating procedure according to claim 1, wherein saidimages comprises at least one reflective original image and at least onetransparent original image, wherein said reflective original images andsaid transparent original images are combined to display on said previewwindow, wherein a portion of said originals not presented by saidtransparent original images is substituted by said reflective originalimages, wherein a portion of said originals not presented by saidreflective original images is substituted by said transparent originalimages.
 10. The operating procedure according to claim 9, wherein saidstep of scanning of said portion of said originals, if said portion ofsaid preview window is part of said reflective original images, then areflective original mode is used, and if said portion of said previewwindow is part of said transparent original images, a transparentoriginal mode is used.
 11. The operating procedure according to claim 9,wherein said step of scanning of said portion of said originals, if saidportion of said preview window is part of said transparent originalimages and said reflective original images, a transparent original modeis used to scan said portion of originals corresponding to said part ofsaid transparent original images, and a reflective original mode is usedto scan said portion of originals corresponding to said part of saidreflective original images.
 12. A scanning system free of identifyingoriginal's attribute, said system comprising: a scanning module forscanning at least one original; a processing module for processing aplurality of images generated by said scanning module; a controllingmodule for controlling said scanning module and said processing module;a display module for displaying a preview window responsive to a resultof said processing module; a receiving module for receiving a portion ofsaid preview window selected by user, and; an output module foroutputting a portion of images displayed in said portion of said previewwindow.
 13. The scanning system according to claim 12, wherein saidcontrolling module controls said scanning module to scan said originalsby use of a transparent original mode and a reflective original mode,respectively.
 14. The scanning system according to claim 12, whereinsaid controlling module controls said scanning system to scan saidoriginals by use of a transparent original mode to generate a pluralityof transparent original images, wherein said transparent original imagesis displayed in said preview window by said display module if saidresult of said processing module shows said transparent original imagespresent all said contents of said originals, if said result of saidprocessing module shows said transparent original images don't presentall said contents of said originals, said originals are scanned by useof a reflective original mode to generate a plurality of reflectiveoriginal images, then said transparent original images and saidreflective original images are displayed in said preview window by saiddisplay module.
 15. The scanning system according to claim 12, whereinsaid controlling module controls said scanning system to scan saidoriginals by use of a reflective original mode to generate a pluralityof reflective original images, wherein said reflective original imagesis displayed in said preview window by said display module if saidresult of said processing module shows said reflective original imagespresent all said contents of said originals, if said result of saidprocessing module shows said reflective original images don't presentall said contents of said originals, said originals are scanned by useof a transparent original mode to generate a plurality of transparentoriginal images, then said reflective original images and saidtransparent original images are displayed in said preview window by saiddisplay module.
 16. The scanning system according to claim 12, whereinsaid scanning module generates at least one reflective original image,if said reflective original images present all said contents of saidoriginals, said display module don't display any transparent originalimage.
 17. The scanning system according to claim 12, wherein saidscanning module generates at least one transparent original image, ifsaid transparent original images present all said contents of saidoriginals, said display module don't display any reflective originalimage.
 18. The scanning system according to claim 12, wherein saiddisplay module separately displays said reflective original images andsaid transparent original images.
 19. The scanning system according toclaim 12, wherein said images comprises at least one reflective originalimage and at least one transparent original image, wherein saidreflective original images and said transparent original images arecombined to display on said preview window, wherein a portion of saidoriginals not presented by said transparent original images issubstituted by said reflective original images, wherein a portion ofsaid originals not presented by said reflective original images issubstituted by said transparent original images.
 20. A method forscanning free of identifying an original's attribute by a user, saidmethod comprising: arranging at least one original on a scanner;scanning said originals to automatically generate at least one image bysaid scanner without setting scanning mode for any of said originals bysaid user, wherein said images present all contents of said originals;receiving a preview window, wherein said preview window displays saidimages generated by said scanner in said step of scanning saidoriginals; selecting at least a portion of said preview window; andscanning a portion of said original corresponding to said portion ofsaid preview window.